Silkie can't walk

[chickenmomma24]

Brought to vet , she got an xray.. no broken bones now both feet are effected. She can't balance. I'm syringe feeding her electrolytes but she's eating fine. Just not drinking. Please help

 

[Yowza Wowza]

She probably has Mareks, a disease that effects the legs of chickens and disables them from walking.

The best way I dealt with this was by feeding them cut up cloves of garlic, since it fights off the disease. You can give her antibiotics in her water. But please continue giving her the water, this disease is fatal.

 

[chickenmomma24]

OK thank you

 

[Yowza Wowza]

Your welcome and please update if her condition improves

 

[chickenmomma24]

I will

 

[Yowza Wowza]

I believe I made an error, it's not cocci. It's Mareks. Sorry for this error.

 

[fluffykitty12]

Might also be bumblefoot as well. It's unlikely, and I'd expect the vet to check for it, but you never know.

 

[chickenmomma24]

That's why she gave me antibiotics just in case but it's a cramping of the foot thing..

 

[Wyorp Rock]

How old is she?
Can you post some photos or a video of the feet/legs and how she is laying down?
What type of antibiotics did the vet prescribe?

It can be a number of things.
Marek's and Mycoplasma S. are both diseases that can affect the legs, neurological/developmental disorders are a possibility as well, it could also be a nutritional/vitamin deficiency.

At the very least you can try giving her some extra vitamins. Vitamin B2(riboflavin) deficiencies affect the legs. You can crush a human B-Complex vitamin(no iron) and add this to her food to see if there is any improvement.

 

[realsis]

Was she vaccinated for Mareks as a chick? Are her toes curled? Are the legs stiff like paralysis? Are they at odd angles? A picture would really help. If she does have Mareks it is HIGHLY contagious and airborn.. this means your flock will likely be carriers of Mareks ( able to transmit the disease to other birds) but it does not mean they will all become symptomatic. Some can carry the disease without getting symptoms. The virus lives on the land for quite a long while. Many live with Mareks in their flock and some decide to breed for resistance, some keep a closed flock, and some vaccinate any new additions to the flock to protect them. If this is done its very wise to keep the vaccinated chick away from exposure ( outside ground adult birds) for at least 6 weeks or longer to allow immunity to build from the vaccine. Immunity is NOT INSTANT. SO keep the newcommer away from exposure while they develop immunity. If you do have Mareks it will be your choice how to continue. Read as much as possible! Knowledge is power in this case. Hope this helps a little. Best wishes